CanRailpass

Pass details

Why buy this

How long do you have? Fantastic cities with nightlife as good as anywhere else in the world, and better than most. Amazingly varied scenery, with soaring mountains, waterfalls - think Niagara, sub Arctic tundra, prairies, forest, lakes, rivers, seascapes. Recreational opportunities par excellence including the best ski-ing in North America and huge areas of untouched wilderness just waiting to be hiked or kayaked. Wildlife including bears (polar, black and grizzly) and numerous types of whales. History. - European North America started in the Maritimes, aboriginal history across the whole of Canada. Great food and wine, check out the vineyards in the Okanagan or Niagara regions and the amazing seafood in Nova Scotia. All of these are accessible by VIA Rail services.

What you get

With a Canrailpass you are entitled to:

• Comfort class travel in comfortable reclining seats with head and footrests (on most trains)
• Blankets and pillows on long distance overnight journeys
• Unlimited stopovers.
• 12 days of unlimited travel within a 30 day period (up to 3 extra days of traveled may be purchased to make 15 in total)
• Travel days do not need to be consecutive.
• Students and children aged 2-17 years inclusive and those aged 18 years and over with a valid ISIC card are entitled to discounted pass prices.
• Seniors aged 60 years and over are entitled to discounted pass prices.

What you don't get

Extra charges that you will need to budget for are:

• Upgrades and sleeping accommodation these will be charged extra.
• Meals and drinks can usually be purchased on board but are not included in your pass price.
• Canrailpasses are not valid on trains and buses listed in the VIA timetable but operated by companies other than VIA.

How it works

When booking a Canrailpass you must provide us with your first journey. You will be issued with a voucher, which must be exchanged at this first station for your actual pass. Before boarding the train you must take your pass and passport to the ticket office where they will issue a ticket for your journey (at least one hour before departure - preferably more). You must have a reservation for each journey, these can be booked at the same time as your pass or once you arrive in Canada, book early to avoid disappointment many of the long distance trains are extremely popular and especially in the peak season get booked up weeks and sometimes months in advance. Reservations may incur extra charges if booked in the UK - please check before booking. VIA Rail only sell the same number of tickets as there are seats on board. If you do not have a reservation you will not be allowed to board unless there is space available - standing is not an option.

Be aware that the pass works on calendar days, so for example if you get on a train at 11.30pm and get off at 4am the next morning that is two days.

Cancellations and refunds

Canrailpasses which are lost, stolen or validated/exchanged cannot be refunded. Refunds are only accepted on vouchers returned to International Rail before the start of their validity. Vouchers returned for cancellation or alterations have a standard 15% cancellation/exchange fee in addition to an administrative charge per ticket. Cancellation/alteration fees will be charged on each voucher returned. Duplicate or replacement passes cannot be issued under any circumstances. Reservations, upgrades and sleeping accommodation are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.